5 Ways to Connect Virtual and In-Person Attendees at Hybrid Events
With over 135 virtual and hybrid events under my belt, engagement and connection are still at the top of everyone’s wish list.
But how can you create a hybrid event that not only engages the virtual audience but connects them with on-site attendees and vice versa?
As a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst, here's 5 fast ideas to connect in-person and virtual/digital attendees at your next hybrid conference:
1. Have “meet a new friend” virtual booths with match-making services like (what is that guy’s service that auto matches people?!) - like speed dating meeting internet dating and a great place to kick off your heels or meet a new favorite conference friend to meet up with next year!
2. Launch live polls and word-cloud creation apps to united attendees’ feedback, thoughts and ideas together on screen in visible ways - reminding everyone that even though we’re far apart, we’re connected.
3. Hold early morning hangouts that anyone can attend, wherever they are - and no, I’m not talking about conference Yoga! Whether it’s “Coffee Chat at Conference”, “Morning Mixer” or APHON’s idea of “Conference in Bed”, providing virtual sessions that onsite attendees can login to join from their hotel room along with the virtual audience brings everyone together. The idea that the best part of waking up on conference day is meeting new people can be achieved with bed head, room service and Zoom!
4. Kick off a social media contest of voting with comments, emojis, numbers on social media posts - everyone anywhere can do that! Take it up a notch by having sponsored prizes, surprise live streaming calls from VIPs at the conference or an at-home or at-work delivery on the final day of the winner!
5. Live stream reactions, tweets, chat and more on-screen with on-site attendees able to get in on the action. During, a keynote speaker may be distracting, but during live performances, networking, trade shows, roundtables and more it can add to the conversation! PRO TIP: Make sure that whatever production partner you have managing this is able to screen the comments appearing on stage - just in case ;)
Photo: Savanna Richardson, Clarity Lane
BONUS IDEA: Have a match-making option for attendees when they sign up or check-in for the conference so that someone has an on-site buddy if they’re virtual, and vice versa! While the virtual attendee may be watching pre-recorded content on the portal and recommending sessions, the in-person attendee can be sharing photos or notes from their sessions on-site and discussing. Having this be optional will get the extroverts excited and increase the magical connections that conferences and events are so famously rich in!
Whether you’re planning your first, fourth or fortieth hybrid event, don’t forget the big why behind them in the first place: BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER!
PS: Hybrid events are one of Rachel’s favorite events to emcee, bringing higher attendance possibilities and greater impact to events. Schedule a time here to chat with her about your event, goals and how her high-energy emcee strategy can add to your event!